looking forward...

I borrowed the picture above from Rebeccas Flickr site, some excellent pictures there. This picture has the same title as this post...

I'm intending to write down about 10 things that I would like from the next year, some will be big and hard to achieve others will be daft little things but gonna try to write at least 1 thing I can do to help me to achieve each one.

1. House - This is gonna be the biggest thing this year or at least the 1st part of it. I will have loads to do. From sad things like running network cabling to essentials like new doors, bathroom etc.. Also looking forward to gardening, years ago I used to enjoy gardening. I can't really write something to do to achive getting the house as I'm already doing everything.
2. Work - This is a difficuly one I need to progress somehow rather than going nowhere as it seams at the moment. We are supposed to be getting pay rises and having our jobs evaluated but god knows when that is gonna happen. So I need to be more pro-active in looking for a job, checking websites and newspapers. I was told today by a mate that there are a load of IT jobs coming up for some big scheme that is starting. I need the web address off him. I would still rather work for myself but I need to decide exactly what part of IT I would like to do. I will post more about this later.
3. Love life - The most complicated of all and can't plan anything for this. Just to be honest and true to those I love and always be there (damn I'm going soppy again).
4. Holiday - I must make sure I have a holiday this year not just hanging around home. The best way to achieve this is to put some money away each week. Otherwise it will all get swallowed up by the house. My recent money making stuff could come in handy for this.
5. Fitness - I have become a right lazy bastard the last few weeks and hardly moving off my arse. I must have a good metabolism or something as I haven't put much weight on. To achieve this I need a goal. I am writing on here so someone can hold me to it (Simon). I am going to do the Blaydon race this year and if I feel fit enough (probably not) I would like to do the Great North Run. I better start training now or will not be fit enough for even the Blaydon race!!
6. Read - This may seam minor compared to the others but I used to read loads but haven't read much this year until recently. So would like to get back into reading.
7. Drinking - Or rather cut it back so I drink less when I go out. Put a limit of 5 pints on myself which is a bit different from last Friday when I had about 15+. No wonder I can't remember going home...
8. Friends - By this I mean keep in better touch with friends. Hopefully with having my own house it will mean friends will come over a lot more. Well I'm gonna be inviting plenty over anyway. If they come is another matter.
9. Finances - I need to keep on top of finances, even more important now I will have loads of bills coming out. Linked to this is the Money Diet book Simon bought me for Xmas and also the money making stuff I've been doing but not explained yet. Don't really have to write anything for this as I alreayd keep my finances on the computer.
10. Learn - This may seam a funny thing to add. Its a big thing for me, I'm always learning new stuff especially computer things. so I never have to try to hard to achieve this one. But I want to make a conscious effort to learn Ajax **Techie Stuff***. To do this I need to set some time aside to learn everything but wont have much time the 1st part of the year.

This blog should help me achieve some of these by constantly writing what I'm doing and boring anyone who is sad enough to read it. They have permission to hassle me on any of them. I know that fitness one is gonna come back to haunt me. I will probably break most of these down into individual things I need to do to achieve them or I wont achive any!

I have some other things I want to do next year but will add them over the next few days and a few that wont appear on here because they are personal. My list I've posted before is still ongoing, but probably wont have chance to do many of them this year. Other than more snowboarding hopefully :-)

looking back

I decided to do a post looking back at the last year, so here goes. I'm going to do this from memory and not look back at my archive of posts.

The year started off quite good in my personal life, I met Kelly when I was out with my best mate at the end of the 2004 and we became very close. Although she was attached and had a son, she didn't love the bloke she was with but was her sons dad. So not easy to leave him. At one point she was going to, but I don't know if I got scared of was being sensible and told her to wait a few days to make sure she still felt the same, she didn't leave him. I met her son and he was very wary of me but he was a nice kid. Although he didn't seam to want to have anything to do with me which was hard, normally kids like me. Anyway with Kelly working shifts and living with someone, we hardly saw each other. So I did some serious thinking and realised although I loved her. I didn't love her as much as I'd loved someone else a few months earlier, so I ended it. Having said that we are still good friends now and keep in touch by text.

My personal life started off good but work wasn't so good, I think I was at my lowest point for sometime in February. I was bored, unchallenged and basically fed up. I told my unit manager how I felt. Nobody had any idea how bad I was feeling. I really didn't care about anything. Maybe this was also to do with not seeing Kelly very much at the time as well. I'm not sure!

I managed to pick myself up though, not sure much has really changed at work. I'm just not bothered by it anymore. I have made some more friends this year at work, there will be very few people in the County who don't at least know me by sight (out of 330).

One way I have changed a lot this year is I'm now a lot more open about everything. I was always the complete opposite, I'd keep everything bottled up until I exploded and with my temper that was never a good thing. I can't really rememeber losing my temper at all this year, the odd occassion where I have started to I've walked away. A couple of times I've gone home early when out drinking, still wouldn't back down from a fight but just avoid the situation in the 1st place. Must be growing old and wise (or soft).

I've also got back in touch with a few friends, Laura, Jeremy & Julie. All of which I used to work with. Also bumped into a few others recently like Alison.

Mentioned above that most people know me at work but I've also made more good friends this year. Also good friends again with some that I'd sort of drifted apart from. I must admit I do seam to talk a lot more on the phone these day. If I remember back just 4 years I HATED the phone and would never ring anyone if I could help it. How I've changed!!

Anyway this is supposed to be looking back on the year...

I haven't been away much on Holiday but did go to Scotland for a few days which did me some good. I went to Amulree where I used to stay when I was about 13. The best part was being shown around the house I used to stay in, it was up for sale.

I also walked part of the pennine way with my dad a couple of months ago. I've been fishing a few times with my dad and uncle as well. Caught quite a few fish as well, you wouldn't think I would like fishing as I don't have much patience but it gives me time to think (which I do lots of). I've done quite a few decent walks in North Yorkshire and locally.

My mind is starting to go blank now, probably should look back through my blog but wont.

I met a couple of people on the internet although not in person. I met strange lady (only kidding ) called Angelika who just decided to ring me on Skype one day. We have been friends ever since and she often seams to have as much bad luck with relationships as me. I also met her friend Wendy, who since I met her has left her husband is now due to give birth to twins in a few weeks with her new man :-) (never met either in person but hopefully will do one day)

How could I forget I also jumped out of a plane and went Snowboarding (not at the same time).

The last few months I gave myself a list of things to do & buy and achieved quite a few although I kepe adding to the list all the time so never goes down. So probably done a lot more the last part of the year than the 1st.

I know I have missed absolutely loads out but there is no point in writing everything as I/you could just read my blog and see what I did. If I look back I would say overall I have a good year I feel a lot better in myself than I did at the beginning and feel like I have achieved some things I've always wanted to do. Probably the best part is gaining some more friends.

Finally I am well on the way to getting my house. Its a shame it couldn't of been finished this year but it should be very soon in the new year :-) (1st few week sof January I hope)

Was gonna add pictures but look bckt through my other posts, there are pictures relating to most things already there. Now onto thinking about the next year...

Million Dollar Baby

Million Dollar Baby: Every now and again you come across a film that more than just stands out but makes you sit up and think. This is without a doubt the best film I have seen in a long time.

Not gonna ravet on about the film, just watch it. A masterpiece!!!

I gave it 10 out of 10 on IMDB, the 1st movie I've gave that to for more than 2 years.

Batman Begins

Batman Begins: Another film that was suprisingly good, I thought it would OK but it was better than that. It had a lot more story than any of the other Batman films and no daft characters like the Joker or Pengiun. Maybe some people would prefer it if they were in.

Maybe the best Batman film, then again Batman (1989) was good too. Shame Michael Keaton wasn't playing Batman, think he was the best one. Although Christian Bale was very good too.

Enough of my blabbering I gave it 8 out of 10 on IMDB. Even my parents liked it ;-)

Plan/resolutions

this is the 1st time ive stopped to think about what i want from the
next year. not gonna write the stuff i want to achieve now. just want
to start thinking about it. then will write the list on here in a
couple of days.

i didnt write a proper list at the beginning of this year but had some
things in my head and did a list so far through the year.

i didnt achieve many of the tasks but did buy just about everything i
wanted. which im pleased i did, now that im gonna have to be more
careful with my money because of buying a house.

anyway will have a think and post them on here!

:-(

Still awake and it's nearly 4am. Getting up at 7. Starting to think is there any point in even trying to go to sleep?

I am now trying to0 hard to get to sleep :-(

not tired

Laid in bed once again typing this on my mobile. although doing it
through Gmail mobile which is canny smart.

I think im gonna be shattered tomorrow i am just not tired probably
because i didnt get out of bed until 11 and ive done nothing all day.
God knows what time i will get to sleep tonight.

As an example of how bored ive been. i decided on xmas day night that
i would enter a load of competitions on the internet and see if i
actually won anything. Most of them were drawn in the next couple of
weeks, so i will see. For christ sake what the fuck is happening to me.

Ii must admit it makes a change doing nothing, normally i spend my
holidays doing stuff for everyone else but decided i wasnt doing
anything this time. thinking about it i still have done stuff for
people but not as much as normal. i would go nuts if i didnt help
people out or have some sort of challenge, dont like this relaxing
shit. to think people do this all the time and are happy. i need to
keep my brain active, feel like a vegetable at the moment!

Bugger this i will get up and do something. not gonna get to sleep laying here.

Another dull day

This has to of been the most boring Christmas I can remember, absolutely nothing has happened. The main reason is probably because I've only been out drinking once, this is the 1st time I can remember for years not going out on Boxing day. It's like a tradition to go out with my mates and have a few bets.

This year I stayed in mainly because I'm trying to save money for my house but also because it has usually been boring this year when I've gone to the local.

Today though I was intending to go for a walk but didn't get out of bed until nearly 11 and by the time I got in the shower and stuff it was hail stoning and didn't fancy going walking in that. So again I stayed in all day.

Can't believe I'm gonna write this but I'd almost rather be back at work (err, maybe not). I am back at work in the morning, so I suppose I should go to bed!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: I quite enjoyed watching this, can remember reading the book when I was a kid and watching the original movie with Gene Wilder. It was a lot darker than the other movie, I suppose that was to be expected with Tim Burton directing it.

Johnny Depp was good as Willy Wonka but he always is good. Anway I would recommend it and gave it 7 out of 10 on IMDB.

Detecting Explosives @ SFO

Saw the picture above and reminded me when I was in San Francisco Airport (SFO) in April 2001. I was going through the metal detectors and some idiot stopped the other side of the metal detector to mess about putting their coat and bag on. So I walked around the metal detector to get by him. I didn't think anything of it until afterwards.

There was no one there taking any notice so for some reason I decided to go around. You would think it would be blocked in so you couldn't go around. I didn't do it intentionally, just didn't think. No one stopped me, I just picked my bag up, which had been through the conveyor belt metal detector and walked on. 6 months later was 9/11. Just shows you how crap the security was I could of had anything strapped around me!!

If you look at the picture above you can see how you could still walk around the explosive detector if no one is taking any notice. Just hope they are more observant now?

Bit of a bore

Xmas has been fairly boring other than making some money as I mentioned in the previous post. Enjoyed my Xmas dinner but besides for that it was fairly crap.

There isn't much on TV and their isn't a lot happening on the internet. Pleased when its Boxing day at least there will be Football and Racing on. That reminds me better look at the Racing its the King George VI tomorrow. Not sure about Kicking King though maybe should lay some money or possibly not. I should probably stay well clear of the main race. Although I do usually win on it ;-)

Probably a better bet that Owen will score against Liverpool tomorrow!!

Money For Nothing!!!

I've managed to make £175 in 2 days for doing practically nothing, a few mouse clicks. I haven't really risked any of my money and its completely legal. Just exploiting loop holes. Gotta wait for the money to clear which may take a few days. There is loads more to be made but gonna make sure my 1st lot come through 1st.

I'm not gonna say how for a week or so until I have the money in my account :-)

Sahara

Sahara: I forgot to post that I'd watched this the other night. It's sort of a modern day Indiana Jones similar I guess to National Treasure but not as good. Except the treasure hunters are ex military, so there is some fighting thrown in. If you want a reasonable action film where you don't have to think too hard give it a watch, but its nothing special. Gave it a 6 out of 10.

Xmas

Its now Xmas day, well 10 minutes into it anyway. I have put my presents downstairs under the the tree. Its not the same as when you're a kid and you couldn't get to sleep for the excitement of what you would get. These days I'm not really bothered, just nice to have the christmas meal and then have some peace.

It will probably be my last Xmas at home with my parents!

Roll on Boxing day when there is plenty of sport on the TV :-)

Break up day

I went out yesterday with some of my mates, most of us met up in Crook and then got a taxi down to Bishop. I was drinking in a round with 4 others (always a bad idea). I can remember having at least 3 rounds, so I drank at least 15 pints of lager. Things are very hazy after that and can't remember leaving Bishop and going back to Crook but I must of done because I supposedly bought a chinese and walked home.

My parents said I seamed fine, just looked tired. I was back in the house by 9, I did go out early at 1. I supposedly ate my chinese and went straight to bed.

I would add that drink + phone = nightmare!!

Top played tracks

I've added a chart showing the songs I have played the most the previous week, this automatically generates on a Monday from my page on Last.fm that logs all the songs I play.

confusing

sometimes life can be so confusing and you have no idea what is going
on. you just have to go with it and see where it takes you...

Long day

Today seams to of been a very long day, probably made worse because I've had a headache most of the day. Liz gave me some stuff at work that youa re supposed to rub on your temples and it will ease a headache. It smelled like Deep Heat and ended up getting hot like it as well. All it did was made my temples burn and go bright red. But didn't get rid of the headache.

Only another day and a half before I am off for a couple of days for Christmas, will be pleased of the couple of days off. I seam to be like goldfish in a bowl at the moment and swimming around in circles going nowhere.

Although there has been some good things the last few days :-)

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy: Just finished watching this, I've never read the book or really seen the TV series so wasn't sure what to expect. It was very strange and very hard to describe. I did get a bit bored with it at times, maybe the book is better.

I only gave it 6 out of 10 on IMDB.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban: Watched this last night and again enjoyed it, still don't think it was quite as good as the Goblet of Fire.

Well worth a watch along with the other Harry Potter films. I gave it 7 out of 10.

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets: After watching the Goblet of Fire I decided to watch this again as I couldn't remember it. Even when watching it I couldn't remember most of it. Although did remember where the Camber was.

I really enjoyed this as well but I didn't think it was quite as good as the Goblet Of Fire. Still worth watching of course. I gave it 7 our of 10 on IMDB.

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire: I went to the pictures yesterdayand watched this and I really enjoyed it. I expected it to be OK but it was a lot better than I expected. Its on for over 2 1/2 hours but it flys by because so much is happening.

I couldn't really remember much of the other films but it didn't really matter.

I gave it 8 out of 10 on IMDB

Shagging, shagging & more shagging

Thought I'd give this an eye catching title. Unfortunately I haven't done any shagging but I bet the title caught your eye ;-)

Now I will do my normal boring blog post!!

I was at another Xmas meal on Friday night (3rd or 4th), it was at Bowburn Hall. I decided after the my last night out with people from work that I wasn't gonna drink much. So by some miracle I managed to stick to it. I was very boring and drank 4 pints or lager then went onto orange. Orange, christ how fucking boring and sensible am I getting???

The only good thing about not being drunk is seeing how bad everyone else is. Some of the dancing was shocking, I realised just how bad I must be as well. I guess it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy yourself. So I decided not to dance. Gotta get them dancing lessons sorted out. Although I was told by someone today that I'm not too bad at dancing (compared to who?)

Anway I had a good night, spent most of the night talking to Val, as some of the others were a bit occupied with dance offs (is that what they call it, lol). That video evidence will come in handy one day ;-)

I got up on Saturday morning and had no ill effects (i should hope not on 4 pints). Then spent a few hours shopping in Darlington and managed to get most of my Xmas pressies. I hate shopping but Saturday was good for a change. Probably better coz I went with a mate we got a meal on the way home. Then I helped them sort their iPod out before dropping them off home.

I ended up going shopping again on Sunday at Teesside Park (2 days in a row shopping!!). I watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I really enjoyed the film but the cinema was freezing, was shivering at times (maybe my iced drink didn't help).

So sorry there was no shagging what so ever in this post despite the title!!

House Update

Nothing seams to of happened the last few days with my house which is frustrating. I had a problem where the Solicitors had taken down my card details wrongly, so they couldn't take the money for the valuation. They managed to take the money for the local searches, so the lass said it must of been a typing error. Anyway that should be sorted now and the Valuation will be going ahead but don't know when. They just send me the report afterwards.

My dad mentioned that they were going to give me some money when I got my house, I said they couldn't really afford to. But my dad said they did it for my sister, so would do it for me. I was tempted to turn it down as I know they can't really afford it. But my mother said this morning that they are gonna buy me essential electrical items for Xmas. So maybe they will do that instead. I'd feel bad taking money off them, they've done enough for me in 26 years already :-)

Alexander

Alexander: This could of been an excellent film with the cast and the amount of battles Alexander had in real life. It could of been so good, unfortunately it wasn't. I can't quite pick out any one reason why it wasn't all that good. The story jumped about going backwards and forwards in time, the battle scenes weren't very good often filmed from a distance of with weird effects.

Not sure if it was supposed to be a Hollywood blockbuster or a documentary its didn't really work as either.

I gave it 6 out of 10, but probably being a little generous.

Break Stuff

I was fairly relaxed yesterday probably from getting a little bit more sleep for a change but today I feel like breaking things. I feel shattered today, not sure why I wasn't very late to sleep (about 12:30). Probably doesn't help that the job I'm doing this morning is mind numbing. Might break a few more things and I'm sure I will feel better :-)

We should get a punch bag at work, I'm sure it would be well used. We could put it in the server room and no one would even know!!

Last Weeks Tarot Reading

I mentioned last week that I had read my tarot, yes it's probably a load of rubbish but you would have to read my other post for my reasons. Anyway I finally got around to drawing the reading so I could put it on here. I'm not gonna write the description of how I read it (it's private), these aren't my tarot cards either just some images I nabbed off the internet.

Click above image for a larger version

Each tarot deck can have slightly different meanings for cards, mine is the mythic tarot, god knows what these are they look crap. One day I might Scan my cards in!

1. The Sun - Rejected by women for shining too bright
2. 4 of cups - Feeling cheated or let down in a relationship
3. 8 of swords - difficult decision, don't want to hurt anyone
4. Heirophant - Inner guide of what I want
5. Temperance - Renewal of a relationship
6. Queen of Pentacles - A woman, strong, sensual, self suficent
7. 4 of pentacles - Fear opening up, but wont gain unless I do
8. 6 of pentacles - Generosity, possibly receive
9. The Empress - Child, fear of getting it wrong
10. The Lovers - Decision, possible love triangle

This is what each cards position is supposed to show:
1 - The problem or circumstance surrounding questioner
2 - What he is up against
3 - The distant past
4 - The recent past, the present
5 - The near future
6 - The goal, aim or ambition or questioner
7 - The questioners feelings
8 - Outside Factors
9 - The questioners hopes and fears
10 - The Outcome

This isn't meant to be a lesson in reading the spread above but you can see that position 1 is supposed to show my problem or circumstance. So in my case The Sun, I wrote a one line to describe this from a book. Reading the tarot is a lot more complicated than one line per card and takes lots of things into account. A few of the other simple descriptions are how I interpreted the card but as I've said before I don't think they predict the future as such. More help in making a decision where you know the answer but find hard to make it.

Anyway go and decipher the above reading, you will probably be a lot better than how I would read it. Here's a site to get started.

Songs

I am useless at saying how I feel, as any woman I've ever been out with will agree with and anyone who's read this for a while will know. It may seam like I often open up but not really, you always gotta keep something back (my down fall in a relationship). I was listening to some music today (just for a change) and one of the songs stuck in my head and I thought thats exactly how I feel. So wrote down some other songs as well:

Nirvana - Rape Me
Police - So Lonely
Kinks - Tired Of Waiting
No Doubt - Don't Speak
Bon Jovi - I Want To Be Loved
U2 - Stuck In a Moment
Bon Jovi - In & Out Of Love
Offspring - All I Want
Led Zeppelin - Dazed & Confused
Queen - I'm Going Slightly Mad

The list would go on for pages but they were the few I've listened to today or thought of.
I did a list when I worked in the Red Cross in about 2001 (I think) of how I felt then, wish I could find it. The only song I can remember off the top of my head was Travis - Why Does It Always Rain On Me.

I guess I should explain the Nirvana song above as well, it doesn't mean raping as most people would think of it. It means people taking what they want from you and using you, not sure that really explains it. Listen to the song and you will. It seams everyone has friends who never contact you unless they want something (are they really friends?)

Mr & Mrs Smith

Mr & Mrs Smith: This is a typical Hollywood action flick with two good looking leads who manage to stay good looking even as everything is blowing up around them. Yet its one of those movies that leaves you with a smile when its finished.

I could see hints of True Lies in here which is a good thing as its one of my favourite films (well one on a very long list).

I gave it 7 out of 10 but was tempted to give it more. Angelina is HOT!!!

Hermit

Once again sat in bed writing this, although this time with the laptop rather than my phone.
Cant see me going to sleep anytime soon, got a headache and my eyes are hurting. Didn't get out of bed until nearly 12, so can't be from lack of sleep. More likely its from lack of fresh air and exercise.

When I think about it I haven't set foot outside the door since getting in from work on Friday night. I was intending to go for a walk this morning but that didn't happen when I missed the morning sleeping. Never really stopped all day until watching Top Gear at 8 and decided to watch Sin City. Even then I was still doing some things on the computer at the same time.

Jesus I need a life, haven't been out of the house partly because I'm trying to save money. Got 2 Xmas meals this week coming. Already paid for one of the meals but will need money for drink. Which will no doubt be a fortune, think to yourself Steven "Orange & Water, Orange & Water". I will be thinking that as my mouth says "a pint of lager, please".

I've spent a lot of the day setting up and testing a private website for family and friends. Its not finished yet but should hopefully be in the next couple of days.

I seam to have loads of stuff to do for people again, but decided I wasn't gonna do any of it today. I had too much to do already and I finally got my finances sorted out on the computer.

My head seams to be jumping between things at the moment, I can see it will be a long day tomorrow as I know I wont be able to concentrate on any task for more than 10 minutes. Luckily I am out on the afternoon at Newton Aycliffe and Darlington. I was supposed to be going to Kelly and Alans house on the night but Kelly was supposed to be confirming with me and she hasn't. So gonna go home as I've loads to do, would rather not have to travel all that way either!

Thinking about it I still haven't posted my tarot reading from last Sunday, I haven't got any program on this laptop to draw the spread or I would of done it now.

Well I think I might go and listen to a bit more of my Snow Crash Audiobook once Scissor Sisters - Tits on the Radio finishes ;-)

Sin City

Sin City: Just finished watching this and I really enjoyed it. I didn't look at any review or anything else before watching it, so didn't have any idea what it was like or how good it was supposed to be.

Its in Black & White but with colour on certain things like eyes and dresses, to help make things stand out. I wont bore anyone with a proper review or say what its about.

All I will say is if you like Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs you will probably like this. I gave it 8 out of 10 on IMDB but it may be worth a 9.

Buying Music on the internet & DRM

After the massive bad press Sony BMG has received over the last month for their Copy Protection rootkit problem. I think there is starting to be a bit of a backlash against the music industry (I hope). If you don't know what I'm on about, read this.

Basically the copy protection Sony used on some of their CDs enabled people to gain access to your computer if you had used the CD on your computer. It wasn't quite as bad as it was made out if you had a firewall and even if you didn't you were very unlikely to hacked but it created a lot of bad press and highlighted the crippling things that are being done to the music you pay for.

Why is someone gonna pay for a CD when people can still find it for free on the internet. People are willing to buy music if its fairly priced and doesn't have massive restrictions on it. A lot of people are buying music from the iTunes music store but I wont be one of them. There are too many restrictions on a song I buy. I am more in favour of Napsters model of renting the music. I would rather not do either, I'd rather buy an MP3 which has no restricitons. You can burn it to CD or put it on ANY MP3 player. Unlike iTunes or Napster that limit you to certain portable players. The only place I know you can buy commerical music as MP3s is www.allofmp3.com although this is a bit of a grey area as to whether its legal outside Russia but they have been going a long time and the music industry has been thwarted so far in getting it closed down. At least this is a fair way of buying music!!

I would say some people are completely nuts, buying a full album for £9.99 from iTunes when you can buy the CD from your local supermarket or Amazon for less than £8. You could then rip the CD to any format or quality without any restrictions. Even the stupid Sony protection could easily be beaten. Just hook your Hi-Fi up to the computer using an Optical cable and you have a perfect digital copy of the CD. Fair enough it has to be done in real-time and not ripped at high speed but better than paying for a restricted version on the internet!!

I listen to Adam Curry's Daily Source Code Podcast regularly and he is behind the Podsafe Music Network. It's basically unsigned bands or bands that have agreed to let their music be played for free on Podcasts. He is trying to setup a way for people to buy the tracks from the site. I would like to think that this will be in an unrestricted MP3 format, I'd be suprised if it wasn't from listening to Adam talk about it.

Come on Music Industry wake up and smell the roses people WILL buy music if its at a good price and without stupid restrictions. People already buy from iTunes even more will join them without stupid DRM. Otherwise you will never stop people sharing and downloading pirate music from the internet. Look whats happened with Copy Protection on CDs, the same will come for Digital Music on the internet that is protected with DRM (I hope)!!

Classic Capers

The only horse I mentioned I backed in my last post won (Classic Capers). It was 8-1, so that has nicely put me in profit even with my other bets. Unfortunately my accumulator is off coz The Market Man got beat on the line :-(

I need liverpool to hurry up and score against Middlesbrough, its 0-0 at the moment!!

Sport & more sport...

Its a massive day of sport today :-)

Gonna watch the Liverpool v Middlesbrough match at 12:45, also got horse racing this afternoon. Then Newcastle v Arsenal at 5:15. Then tonight there's boxing with Audly Harrison hopefully getting beat off Danny Williams!!

I decided to put a few bets on today, I've put a few on horses although only 1 individual bet on Classic Capers the others are a treble and a 7 horse accumulator. Don't know why I do this as what normally happens is the 1st horse loses and all the others win. I guess it would be worse if it was the other way around, if they all won except for the last horse. Not gonna say what horses or I will put a curse on them!

I also put a match coupon on for the premiership match results. I'm trying to save money so haven't put much on. I fancied putting on a Super Heinz for the 7 horses rather than an accumulator but can't afford to do that. See explanation below for what a Super Heinz is and why I couldn't afford it unless I put about 1p on each, lol.

Besides for watching loads of sport I have loads of other stuff to do, sorting finances out and fixing computers. Anyway off to watch some the horse racing!!


Super Heinz
A Super Heinz consists of one hundred and twenty bets on seven selections in different events i.e. 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 four-folds, 21 five-folds, 7 six-folds and an accumulator. NB A £1 Super Heinz has a total stake of £120.

Floating on through

I'm not quite sure how I'm feeling at the moment. I just seam to be floating through life and not really paying too much attention to anything or anyone. I'm a little worried I guess about getting my house and being stuck with a mortgage for the next 25 years. I hate owing money to anyone, so I guess its not suprising I'm slightly worried. It's not so bad if you're with someone and you're moving in with them. At least you can discuss stuff between each other and share everything. When on your own you have no one to turn to. (awww)

It seams everyone has some advice to give you but people tell you so many different things, most of it different from what the last person told you.

Feel like I have a £77,000 noose around my neck and its getting ever tighter. I keep getting asked if I'm excited, well not really yet. I just seam to be signing stuff saying what I will be paying but nowhere near getting the keys yet. Once I have the keys I will feel different :-)

I mentioned the other day I had emailed a few mates and got back in touch with them. It was good to hear from Jeremy and Angelika again. Haven't heard from Julie yet but hopefully she is moving into her house finally (got the keys a year ago).

Angelika mentioned that it can be lonely living on your own, hell I've felt bad enough anyway so thanks for that, lol ;-)
I wont have enough spare time to feel lonely or anything else, gonna be far too busy doing work on the house. I was talking to someone at work yesterday about doing stuff in the house and I said I would do a lot of it myself (with massive help from my dad). They said they would rather pay someone to do it. To me I think its better to do it yourself with help from someone who knows what they are doing. Besides for learning something new, its gives you even more attachment to your home if you have worked your arse of to achieve everything.

I better stop typing got to set off to spennymoor to pick up my parents, if I don't stop typing now I will lose track of time.

Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four: I watched this tonight and really enjoyed it, to me it was a feel good family movie. It was certainly a lot better than DareDevil maybe not quite as good as X-Men but close.

The rating on IMDB is really low, not really sure why. I guess they don't use their powers all that much but its more about them discovering their powers and learning to use them.

I can remember watching the cartoon when I was really young and really liking it, maybe thats why I like the movie or am I getting confused with the one where they had some Ice Man bloke in. My memory is getting worse with old age, lol...

Anyway I gave it 8 out of 10 which is maybe slightly too high, but it was the right movie for the mood I am in. Jessica Alba looked hot too...

Snow Crash

I started listening to Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson last night on my iPod. I've had 2 paperback copies of the book for a few years (I got it sent twice, Royal Mail lost it for a few weeks). I started reading it years ago as well but never finished it. So decided I would listen to it rather than read it.

I can remember what I've heard so far, might take me a while to listen to it but I'm sure it will be quicker than the several years its taken so far.

I wonder if you can get Stephen Hawkings - A Brief History of Time on Audiobook thats another book I've been meaning to read for years!!

Cost Cutting

I'm on a mission to cut costs with having to spend a fortune to get my house.

I've managed to change my Orange tariff from 200 minutes to 60, which should save me £11. Stopping downloading all my emails to the phone which could save me another £10.

I've just tried to cancel my Napster account but you can't do it without phoning which is shite. So will ring them tomorrow to cancel that.

Gonna look at reducing the DVD Rental I currently get as well. I am supposed to be on a 3 disc plan but I never seam to get 3 DVDs anyway so gonna reduce it for a couple of months or may postpone as I haven't had much time to watch films recently anyway.

I'm not exactly saving a fortune but its a start and wont be out drinking or buying computer stuff which is where I will save 100's of pounds ;-)

War Of The Worlds

War Of The Worlds: I watched this tonight and the the film was really good until the last 15 minutes or so. When the film suddenly changed completely and Cruise turned into some sort of hero. Then suddenly all the aliens die and they had to put a narration at the end to explain why they all died.

I felt let down at the end of the movie, its like they got 2 thirds of the way through the movie and suddenly bottled it and decided to make a happy ending. Also looked like it had some major cuts, maybe there will be a Director's Cut in the future which will be better!!

I gave it 7 out of 10, but wasn't sure whether to give it 6 because I was pissed with the rushed happy ending :-(

Contacting mates

Decided today that I should get in touch with a few mates I haven't spoken to for a while. So just finished sending out some emails to 3 or 4 of them. I also need to get in touch with some of my other mates who I always went out drinking with.

I used to be out 2 or 3 times every week for years with them but the last few months I have hardly seen any of them. Even though a couple of them live in the same village.

Haven't got any money to go out drinking with them this month unless I scrape some money together to go out with them on break-up day (Friday before Xmas), I have taken the day off just in case. Oh and Boxing day and New Years, these are almost a tradition with us but we are all getting old now. Although not gonna drink much anyway if I do go out so shouldn't cost much ;-)

Sold

When I got home tonight I noticed that they had put the Sold sign up on the house I am buying :-)

I had to ring the estate agents yesterday about a couple of things. My name was spelt wrong it was spelt with a "ph" rather than a "v" on the memorandum of sale. I also had to check that the current owners were fixing the lounge window, which has the outside pane of the double glazing smashed.

I need to ring up tomorrow to find out a time line of when stuff is happening. I hadn't rushed them too much yet because I didn't mind it taking longer if it meant I wasn't gonna be billed for a little while. But I was charged £250 today so now I've started paying I want it sorted quickly!!

Weekend to forget!

Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!! (sorry for the language)

I just wrote a massive post on my phone and it came up saying errors and I lost it, lost the circulation in my hand from typing it all (yes from typing).

This is roughly what I wrote:

I went out to the monthly Durham Night Out on Friday, it was a strange night there was hardly anyone out and of those that did go out most were late. I drank a lot, me and Tony drank Vodka & Redbull for the last 2 hours. I can't remember the last hour. The next thing I can remember after 11 is throwing up at home at 3am. I haven't been sick for over 2 years. I then didn't get up until 1:30pm.

Katy rang me on the afternoon, so I could apologise. I had no idea what for. She told me I went nuts when she asked Tony for a cigarette, I grabbed her hands and held them above her head and wouldn't let go. She said it hurt, I apologised but I can't remember any of it.

SORRY KATY!!!

She said it was OK, but said Kenny (her husband may not be so forgiving), oops!
Normally its me keeping her out of trouble :-(

The last time I drank that much I ended up in a fight over 2 years ago, I used to regularly end up in bother with someone but the last time that happened the lad followed me home and hit me over the head in the dark (takes a hard man to sneak up on someone in the dark). I would of always in the past got my own back (mates used to say I was mental, would lose it very quickly). I decided at that point that I wouldn't do anything. Took some doing luckily I managed it and have managed to stay out of bother ever since. Wouldn't walk away from a fight but would try to keep out of the situation in the 1st place. Friday was the 1st time I had drunk to the point where I obviously wasn't in control for over 2 years. It will be the last time as well.

I couldn't sleep on Saturday night with not getting out of bed until the afternoon, I got to sleep about 4am. Then got out of bed at 12:30 on Sunday.

All I have done today and yesterday afternoon is watch american TV shows like Supernatural and Invasion. Watched 6 episodes of Invasion so far.

Still angry with myself for letting myself get so drunk on Friday night. I went out with the intension of drinking to sort of celebrate having had my offer accepted on the house and thought it may be the last time I will have any spare money for some time. Was thinking about giving up drinking all together but instead will put a 5 pint limit on any night.

Well I think that is roughly what I wrote on my phone before I lost it.

Pact

Me and someone else from work had a pact we made over a year ago. We both had some things we wanted to achieve by the end of the year. The other person in the pact has achieved everything they had set out to do. I hadn't achieved any of them 2 months ago but I'm on my way to sorting at least one of them.

I will need to check up with them but mine was to get a house and "to find a woman" I think was the words that were used. Well I'm failing the second half unless something happens in the next month, unlikely :-(

I think there was more to it than just the above but my memory has gone conveniently hazy!!

Updated List again

I decided to post my list of stuff again, I've done some additions again. I decided to buy a Mac Mini instead of doing the Hot Air Ballooning but I did do some Snowboarding which I still need to do the second half of the course.

I have managed to at least get an offer accepted on a house, didn't expect anything to happen with a house. I've noticed I'm good at buying stuff, only a bike & punch bag I haven't bought. I fixed my current bike instead and have nowhere to put a punch bag at the moment. Otherwise I've bought or in the process of buying all of them.

Wouldn't mind doing more on my To Do list but funds are gonna be tight. I could ride a horse for free down the farm but no one would be there to give lessons. The Dancing which I just added but have been thinking about for a couple of months could be one of the cheapest but would have to keep going to the lessons. Everything will be on hold until the house is sorted out...

To Do
Parachute Jump
Static Line Jump
Pass motorbike test
Drive a Ferrari
Hot Air Balloon
Snowboarding
Dancing
White Water Rafting
Horse Riding
Drive Lands End to John O'Groats

Things to see
North West Scotland
Pyramids (Egypt)
New York
Grand Canyon
Canada
Australia (Ayrs Rock)
Ruins in South America
Iceland

To Buy
Mac Mini
Bike
Punch Bag
House (offer accepted)
Quality Headphones
Laptop
Pay off Loan
Ipod

Thinking about the house more...

I'm now starting to think a lot more about the house and what I need to get. As anyone who knows me can imagine the things that are sticking in my mind more than kitchen appliances, carpets and stuff is where my computers will go, how to network it and stuff like that. Sad I know but its more interesting than deciding on flooring (to me anyway).

The essential after getting the electricity, gas and phone switched on will be the internet. Thats probably more important than the gas, lol. Hell if it came to it I could connect to my parents internet wirelessly if I sort a good aeriel out!!

I am sort of joking about the above but I have seriously been thinking about where to put my computers in the house.

I have already got a washing machine, cooker, couch (<--not that keen on but its free) and everthing in my bedroom, so bed, 2 TVs, Hi-Fi, video, 10 computers (possibly another 2) and loads of other gear.

Started to make a list of stuff I need to get and decided to stop it was depressing how much I needed. As long as I have a bed and something to cook with, it will do initially!!

If anyone wants to donate anything to the Steven Horner Charitable Home Trust feel free, I'll let you stay over now and again ;-)

Note to self: Stop thinking about it until contracts are exchanged, with my luck something will go wrong!!

No excitement

I was expecting to feel excited or something but I have no emotion what so ever. Maybe it just hasn't sunk in. Maybe I'm right not to until everything is signed and contracts are exchanged, then I can get excited?

I am starting to think what needs doing, Back door, Living Room window (the outside pane of glass on the double glazing is smashed), new bathroom. Otherwise it's generally just appliances, carpets, decorating. Thats still a lot of stuff & money :-(

I might get a Chinese for tea tonight, it may be the last one I can afford for a long, long time...

House

I went to view another house today, it was the one I posted a picture of a couple of weeks ago, yes Simon doesn't look fantastic from the outside but I can't afford a stone mansion ;-)

Just as I wrote the last sentence my mortgage advisor rang me back, I had let her deal with any offers I had put in for the 2 houses I had seen. I made an offer straight after viewing the house today of full asking price (£74,000). She said my offer has been ACCEPTED :-)

She was more excited than me, I had been expecting her to come back and say it was rejected, so not quite sure its sunk in yet.

I have made an appointment to see Sarah (my mortgage advisor) tomorrow at 12, I've got to sign all the paper work and stuff.

Hell now I'm gonna have no money, what have I done, lol!!